Paranoid Doctor Only Loves Me
Chapter 533 - 496 Lu Han is a thorough big bad wolf (2 more)

Chapter 533: 496 Lu Han is a thorough big bad wolf (2 more)

In Lu Maoyan’s heart, Lu Qingtang was a good daughter just like Lu Zhu.

However, Lu Qingtang was his eldest brother’s good daughter, his beloved niece.

All three siblings were children of the Lu Family, and since his elder brother was no longer there, it was only natural for him to raise them—as their uncle, he never expected anything in return.

Before marrying Bai Wei, he would set aside a small portion of those assets he had attained for the three siblings to divide among themselves, but the subsequent Lu Family estate would solely belong to his and Bai Wei’s own son and daughter.

The shop on Tallas West Street was a property earned by Bai Wei, who had long decided to give half to her daughter and the other half to her future daughter-in-law.

She just hadn’t found the right moment to do it.

This matter had previously been discussed with Lu Han.

Lu Han was quick-witted and came up with such an idea—choosing to disclose it on the third day of the Lunar New Year when the Lu Family gathered.

Firstly, it would stop the two sisters-in-law from coveting what wasn’t theirs.

Secondly, it might stir the calm waters of the Lu Family relations just enough that Tang Su, being kind-hearted, would worry about their relationship not being very good, and thus couldn’t bear to reject the offer.

This way, he even schemed against his own wife.

Thirdly, Lu Han also considered his sister’s interests, taking this opportunity to subtly probe Lu Zhu’s attitude towards having children and becoming a mother once again.

If she remained as firm as before, then they would simply wait longer, letting her husband patiently bide his time.

But if she wasn’t as resolute, wouldn’t that be a cause for universal joy?

It must be said that Lu Han’s brain worked quickly.

Even Bai Wei couldn’t help shaking her head, thinking Tang Su, this little white rabbit, would likely never be able to outsmart Lu Han, the utterly cunning wolf.

Luckily, all of Lu Han’s strategizing concerning Tang Su was for her benefit, wanting her to accept things without fully realizing it.

The only ones aware of this matter were Lu Maoyan, Bai Wei, and Lu Han himself.

Tang Su and Lu Zhu were kept in the dark.

Therefore, when it came to the pressure to have children, Lu Zhu’s reaction was absolutely genuine, not an act.

The shock and surprise she showed couldn’t have been so naturally and skillfully performed had she been informed beforehand.

As for Hu Haiqin and Lin Xian, these two were even more clueless, unwittingly being manipulated by their crafty uncle to help fulfill his plans.

While Hu Haiqin and Lin Xian found the distribution to be unfair, they had not left their seats, believing that as long as the transfer of ownership hadn’t yet occurred, there was still a chance for redemption.

After all, there were still a few days left after the New Year’s celebrations, at which point, by whispering in their husbands’ ears, were they not likely to get an opportunity to make their case?

In Tang Su’s view, the atmosphere during the meal was somewhat off, eerily quiet.

After lunch, Lu Jiayou and his siblings bid farewell with their wives and children.

Lu Maoyan didn’t try to keep them.

The leftover dishes from lunch were wrapped up by Bai Wei for the married servants to take home, and then their own family had a fresh homemade hot pot dinner together in the evening.

"Xiaozhu, shouldn’t you and Mingxiu also head back to keep your mother-in-law company?" Bai Wei, after cutting up the fruit for dessert, asked Lu Zhu.

Having eaten her fill, Lu Zhu was slow to understand for quite some time, then caught onto something and started to question her husband, clutching Song Mingxiu’s collar, "Teacher Song, you agreed so readily earlier, don’t tell me you don’t keep your word? You can’t stand up to your mom, can you?"

Lu Zhu always knew that Song Mingxiu’s mother was tirelessly scheming to cooperate with Song Mingxiu to get her pregnant.

Song Mingxiu had never cooperated. His stance was firm; unless Lu Zhu was willing to have a child of her own accord, he would never scheme behind his wife’s back.

This infuriated his mother to no end.

Unable to find a way out through her son, Song’s mother turned to Lu Zhu. Her persistent persuasion, both overt and covert coercion, having failed, she resorted to showing her displeasure directly to Lu Zhu.

She scornfully labeled her as a hen who occupied the nest without laying eggs, eating grain without producing.

Lu Zhu sometimes wondered if she had been too low-key these past few years, leading her mother-in-law to mistake her for someone who had married up to Song Mingxiu, rather than marrying down.

"How could that be? For my wife, I’d face floods and wild beasts, let alone my mother," Song Mingxiu said with a smile, comforting her.

Understanding his intention, Lu Zhu playfully punched Song Mingxiu, showing a small, loving gesture between the couple.

The worry in Tang Su’s heart eased quite a bit.

Amid their laughter and teasing, upon hearing Bai Wei’s inquiry, Lu Zhu checked the time, "Yeah, we should head back to join Mrs. Song for dinner. With the fourth day of the New Year coming up tomorrow, Lu Han, Tang Su, what are your plans? Your brother-in-law and I will join you."

"Resting at home," Lu Han said nonchalantly.

"What? Resting at home? You can’t be serious. We finally get a break, and after the New Year, I’ll be working like a dog again every day."

"You’re the boss of five shops, can’t you just quit that crappy job of yours?"

"Why don’t you quit your crappy job then?" Lu Zhu retorted.

"I’ve already quit. I’ve submitted my resignation, and it’s in process," Lu Han said casually.

Lu Zhu: "..."

Lu Zhu had always known that her brother was a ruthless person.

Competing against him, she could never win.

Because it was too easy to fall into a pit and then bury herself.

She couldn’t get through to Lu Han, but she could try to persuade Tang Su.

"Tang Su, your husband is a bit unreliable. While you still haven’t had the wedding, you might consider pulling out. Now that you’ve got five shops on your hands, you can make a good shop owner’s wife."

"No, what on earth are you saying? You should be promoting reconciliation, not separation. It’s better to demolish ten temples than to destroy one marriage. Where did all your reading go?" Bai Wei scolded.

"Mom, I was just joking with them. I understand these principles, besides, he’s my dear brother and she’s my sister-in-law, right? I might ruin my own marriage, but I wouldn’t ruin theirs, would I?"

Lu Zhu casually placed her hand on her dear mother’s shoulder as she spoke.

At that moment, little did she know she would be speaking prophetically.

Which is why one should always listen to the ancestral teachings.

Sometimes, there are indeed things that must not be said, like during New Year celebrations, prohibitions must be strictly followed.

Lu Zhu and Song Mingxiu said goodbye to the Lu family and drove back to the Song Family’s home.

The New Year’s Eve was spent at the Song Family’s old house with a large group of family members. This evening, they would have dinner with Song Mingxiu’s parents, along with his sister and brother-in-law.

The rest of the time, they were free to arrange for themselves.

Lu Zhu also suggested that they should bring Lu Han and Tang Su along with Bai Family’s brothers for a self-driving tour, have some fun for a few days, and then come back to work with peace of mind.

But Lu Han just wouldn’t have it.

She was truly exasperated.

Shortly after the two had driven away from the Lu Family, Mrs. Song, Cai Bijun, called to ask where they were.

Song Mingxiu replied, "Another forty minutes to home, Mom."

Cai Bijun expressed her dissatisfaction, "Are you just leaving the Lu Family now?"

"Yes, mother-in-law, my mom was preparing a gift for you, which delayed us. Sorry to have kept you waiting," Lu Zhu spoke up.

Upon hearing that Bai Wei had prepared a gift for her, Cai Bijun’s tone changed immediately, "Oh, Xiaozhu, your mother is too polite. Drive safely on the road, I’ve asked the cook to prepare many of your favorite dishes."

"Thank you, mother-in-law." After speaking, Lu Zhu awkwardly turned her face toward the window.

Song Mingxiu: "..."